MILK-OFF: SATURDAY CONTEST PITS CAPE, JACKSON OFFICIALS

They are an unlikely pair of farmhands: Melvin Gateley, retired school principal, and David Hitt, director of emergency operations for Cape Girardeau County.

But on Saturday, Gateley and Hitt will square off for a Fourth of July milking contest. The milk-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Cape Girardeau's Arena Park as part of the Fourth of July celebration.

The city, represented by City Councilman Gateley, challenged Jackson to the milking contest. Hitt, a Jackson alderman, answered the call.

In the light-hearted spirit of the contest, Gateley said, "I can out-milk him any day. He probably doesn't even know what a cow looks like."

Hitt's response: "Isn't that what stands out in the fields as you drive up the Interstate?"

But truth be told, both Gateley and Hitt have spent their share of time beside a milking cow. Both grew up on a farm, but that was a few years ago.

"If you would have gone to the barn with me as many times as I did, you'd be an expert too," Gateley said. "I even fed the cat."

Gateley says Jersey cows are the toughest to milk. Guernsey or Holstein's are easier, he contends.

"He may have that backwards," Hitt said. "The breed is no guarantee of a good milker."

But Hitt wonders if his cow might be a ringer.

"You know, if a cow has just recently been milked it doesn't matter how hard you crank the tail. You won't get any milk."

The milking contest isn't the only competition between neighboring Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Mayor Al Spradling III of Cape Girardeau and Mayor Paul Sander of Jackson have a standing competition involving high school football rivalry.

Who knows? Hitt said. The milking contest might prove a better challenge.

"Al and Paul may want to give this a chance instead of the football contest," Hitt said. "Al might have a better chance of winning."